Head of Social Media

Sussex Police; Lewes; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS pension

Annual leave

Gym facilities

Job summary

Sussex Police seeks an experienced Head of Social Media to lead the Social Media Team within the Media and Communications Department on maternity cover. You will shape and deliver our social media strategy across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and WhatsApp, driving reach, engagement and compliance while safeguarding communities.

As a senior manager, you will advise Chief Officers and external partners, oversee governance and analytics, and collaborate with agencies to optimise campaigns.

Qualifications

• Recent, proven experience delivering a high‑performing social media strategy for a high‑profile organisation.
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, PR, advertising or communications or hands‑on social media leadership.
• Strong understanding across platforms including Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, X, LinkedIn and YouTube.
• Excellent analytics to drive performance using native and third‑party tools.
• Knowledge of paid versus organic social strategies with practical application.
• Experience presenting to senior management and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Maximise Sussex Police’s social media presence to engage audiences and support priorities.
• Develop, implement and maintain the social media strategy and governance.
• Evaluate campaigns with analytics to build public confidence and legitimacy.
• Horizon scan digital trends to inform responses in digital communications.
• Lead training to ensure colleagues use social media effectively and responsibly.
• Oversee content forms including video, text, images, animation and live action.
• Lead the Social Media Team and District Engagement Officers.
• Respond to major incidents with digital communications tactics.

Skills

Social media strategy

Leadership

Analytics and evaluation

Stakeholder management

Content development

Team management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, PR, advertising or communications

Tools

SMMP

Job description

We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced communications professional to join our busy and award-winning Media and Communications Department on maternity cover as Head of Social Media.

You’ll be responsible for overseeing the delivery of our social media strategy, building reach, engagement and compliance across our channels, helping us to protect our communities, catch criminals and deliver an outstanding police service to the people of Sussex.

You must have a proven track record of delivering an engaging and high-performing social media strategy in a business environment for a high-profile organisation and be committed to using evidence and insight to help us get the best possible results for our communities.

We are looking for a leader who is accessible, knowledgeable and inspires people around them to be innovative and creative in their storytelling.

We’re a fast-paced organisation that uses Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and WhatsApp as our core channels, with growing video content and plans to diversify.

You’ll be well-versed in best use of organic and paid media, as well as working with partners and/or external agencies to maximise campaign development and distribution. You will understand the benefits of different social media management platforms and be confident in their implementation.

As a member of our senior management team, you will act as a trusted communications advisor, providing expert advice to others in the Force, including Chief Officers and external stakeholders. You will be able to respond to multiple competing demands alongside working to implement long-term improvements to how we engage online.

You will have the support of a great team and access to varied and interesting content which, used effectively, helps deliver operational policing in Sussex.

Key responsibilities

• Maximise Sussex Police’s social media presence, supporting Force priorities and using mechanisms, measurement and marketing tools that provide enhanced opportunities to engage audiences and leverage the benefits of individual social media platforms.
• Develop, implement and maintain the social media strategy, related policy and guidance for Sussex Police to ensure its optimum, ethical and legal use across the full range of Force communications; ensure appropriate governance and information management processes are in place, followed and monitored.
• Develop a disciplined approach to evaluation and analytics to measure critical success factors of campaigns, media activity and digital engagement including the increase of public confidence and legitimacy in policing activities.
• Actively horizon scan to identify trends in digital and social communications, assess impact on policing and in particular Sussex Police, and to inform possible responses within the Force and digital communications strategies.
• Direct a programme of training activity, in liaison with the Head of Media, that identifies, develops and delivers training/coaching to ensure colleagues are using social media and other digital channels effectively and responsibly.
• Direct the implementation of a wide range of content forms, including video, text, still imagery, animation and live action that best uses the technology available on any given social media platform.
• To lead the Social Media Team and District Engagement Officers, including recruitment, retention, performance, welfare and engagement, and develop close alignment and social media upskilling of colleagues in the wider Media and Communications Department.
• Where required, operate as a senior member of the major incident structure in the context of a major/critical incident, developing and directing digital communications tactics to meet strategic or operational aims.

Skills & Experience

• Recent and proven experience of delivering an engaging and high-performing social media strategy in a work/business environment for a high-profile organisation.
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, public relations, advertising or communications or relevant professional experience in a hands-on social media role at supervisory level or higher.
• Sound understanding and application of the approach, governance and tailored content requirements across the range of social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, X, LinkedIn and YouTube.
• Able to demonstrate clear strategic thinking in the development of social and digital channels and content, including to mitigate risk.
• Excellent understanding and application of analytics to drive performance using native and third-party tools.
• Understanding of the relative benefits of paid-for versus organic social content with evidence of practical application.
• Knowledge, use and business implementation of social media management platforms (SMMP).
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment while being innovative in providing solutions to challenges in a digital environment.
• Excellent communication skills, including adoption of appropriate tone of voice.
• Experienced and comfortable with presenting to senior management teams and key stakeholders, including delivery of training.

Why Work With Us?

Policing is an exciting 24/7 business and we’re invested in supporting people to balance their life with work. We encourage agile working, giving you the opportunity to manage your own diary and work wherever you give the best service to the public. This may include flexi-time and home working.

We take pride in looking after our people and offer a variety of benefits;

• career progression
• contributory pension scheme (LGPS)
• generous annual leave allowance
• discounts for everyday spend
• on-site gyms and a range of sports clubs
• generous and supportive parental leave
• financial and mental wellbeing guidance and support
• discounted contributory healthcare scheme

Please use the following links for more information on the benefits of working with Sussex Police.

Further Information

This is a politically restricted position, to view the Political Restrictions Policy for Police Staff click here.

Please note, this is a full-time role but we will consider flexible working requests within these hours.

This role requires travel to meetings and locations across Sussex. The post-holder must therefore have a driving licence and access to their own transport.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Hannah Easterby, Head of Media and Communications, on [e-mail] or Maria Newstead, Deputy Head of Media and Communications, on [e-mail].